Seasonal Produce Spotlight: Basil
Basil is a summer favorite that is perfect for all light, hot weather dishes! Pair with tomato and mozzarella for a quick caprese salad, or stir fry with chopped eggplant and garlic for an easy spread. Do you love basil but don’t know how to keep it fresh once you get home? Take this tip from Bon Appetit and preserve it like you would fresh flowers! Trip the bottom of the stems and place in a small jar with water. You can cover with a plastic baggie to keep it even longer. This time of year, you can find basil at any of our market farms; just make sure to get there early!

Market to Table Recipe: Basil Pesto!
With pasta, in sandwiches or on top of your favorite meat dish, pesto goes with everything! You can put this fragrant sauce together in just five minutes. Click here for the full recipe. Buy delicious, unfiltered olive oil from our friends at Dmitri Olive Farm. Try substituting walnuts for the pine nuts for a different taste!

Water and Shade at Market
Summer is here in full force! Basic summer safety tips apply for short trips to the market, too: always wear sunscreen and, preferably, a hat; bring water with you or pick some up from one of our vendors; don’t forget we have shade on the market stage! If you need a cooler place to sit, find market staff under the Information Tent under the eastern portico of City Hall–we’re here to help!

Bike for Good Food Rescue this Saturday – July 30th!
Bicycle food rescue this Saturday! We will be transporting fresh, locally grown food donated by our generous vendors using bicycles to area locations serving low-income and at-risk Alexandria residents on July 30th. Food rescue events are the last Saturday of the month from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm. Sign up at Volunteer Alexandria (type in “Bike for Good” in the Keyword Search) or email BikeforGood@alexandriava.gov for more information. Come join the fun!

SNAP/EBT customers – Buy $20, get $20 Free and Maybe More!
The Old Town Farmers’ Market accepts SNAP/EBT and offers customers up to $20 in matching funds. See Double Dollar Brochure – English or Double Dollar Brochure – Spanish for more information. This summer, SNAP customers can participate in a lottery for the chance to win even more incentives! Be sure to make @OldTownMktAlex your market to shop on Saturday mornings!

Market information – Online vendor map
Wondering where your favorite vendor is this Saturday? If you’re wondering whether you can plan on a vendor to be a market on a specific week, check out our vendor map here.